Spring-wheel.



L. P. BUCK.

SPRING WHEEL. APPLICAUON HLED JAN; 28, {914.

' 19 54, Patented Sept. 26,1916

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVEN TOR WITNESSES ,4

V r M I g w fi/ BY 31' I 765 M L. P. BUCK.

SPRING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28. I914.

1 1 99, 1 54. Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Fla 3.

WI TNESSES MEWIS PI. BUCK, OF WIIlMINGTON, DELAWARE.

i SPRING-WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 26, l lfi.

Application filed January 28, 1914. Serial No. 814 .935.

T 0 all whom it M ay (mi/Wu Be it known that 1 Lnwis l Bron. a citizen of the United States of America, residing in Wilmington, in the county oi New Castle, in the State of Delaware, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Spring-Wheels, of which the fol lowing is a true and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My present. invention consists in an improved spring wheel of the type in which the rigid fellyot' the wheel is connected to the wheel hub by springs which form the weight and power transmitting connections between the hub and telly.

The primaryobject of my invention is to provide a durable and effective wheel of the type referred to, which, while possessing ample lateral stiffness and strength as well as a. i .idial strength and resilience, and made practically entirely of metal, is compai" tively light in weight, and simple and relatively inexpensive in construction.

The various features of noyelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity. in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, and of the advantages possessed by it, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described forms in which my invention may be embodied.

Of the drawings: Figure l is an elevation of a preferred form of wheel embodying my invention, with varioussecuring bolts in section and certain metal plates broken away and removed in the right half of the view;

Fig. 2 is a partial radial section taken on the line 2-2- of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the metallic lamina; or annular plates composing the felly; Fig. 4 is a. vert' 'al section through the telly section shown in Fig. 3: Fig. 5 is an elevation of a portion of a modified form oi telly forming laminzr; Fig. l) is a section taken on the. line l-ll oi Fig. 5: Fig. 7 is a view taken similarly to Fig. 5, showing a third laminacmistruction: Fig. 3 is an invcrtcd plan of the structure shown in Fig.

' 7; Fig. 9 a section taken on the line 9-4) of Fig. 7; and Fig. 10 is a view taken simi larly to Fig. 5. showing another modilication-ot' the folly forming laminae.

In the wheel construction shown in Figs.

1 and 2, A represents a metallic hub body of common form, and it is one of the advantages of my invention that the invention may be utilized with any of the usual forms of hubs. As shown, the hub A is formed with a flange A, against which are clamped annular plates or apertured disks B, C, B

and D. The plate (l is advantageously formed of non-metallic material, such as vulcanite or the like, and is clamped between the plates B, B. The plate I) is for use as a part 01 the bake mechanism commonly employed on the rear wheels of automobiles, and may be omitted without affecting the general construction or operation of my improved wheel. Fitting snugly about the disk C are a pair of annular plates F and a pair of annular plates G. The plates F, F are placed side by side and are separated from each of the plates B by a corresponding platc'G. The plates F and G are rigidly clamped between the plates 13, B by bolts F. Between each plate G and the. adjacent plate B are clamped a series of springs H, and be tween each plate (i and the adjacent plate F are clan'iped a series of similar springs HA. The arrangement of the s n'ings H and HA, and the manner in which they are secured between the plates G and B and (lr and F will be hereinafter explained.

The plates B, B have extensions B preferably of reduced thickness, which pass between, and fit snugly against a pair of? spaced apart annular plates L and LA, the outer portions of which form parts of the folly of the wheel. The plate extensions B and the plates L and LA form the side walls of the housing inclosing the springs ll and HA. As shown, the wheel telly also comprises outer annular plates 1, l. annular spacer plates K. and a pair of central annular plates .l'. The various plates 1, .l and l: are clamped to the plate L by the. bolts l? passing through these. plates. The plate,

I adjacentthe plate LA counter-bored to receive the shoulders E" of the, bolts E 1.

llach bolt 1) has an extension Ff passing through the plate LA. These extensions l are thrciulcd so that the plate LA may be clamped to the other parts of the wheel telly by nuts on the bolt extensions. As shown, the plates J corres 'iond in thickness to the wheel center plates F and are arranged in the same planes POIPQIIdiQHlEtI to the axis of the wheel. Similarly, the plates K are of the same'thickness and are in the same As shown best in Figs. 3 and 4, each plate I is shaped to provide short grooved seats I, one for each of the corresponding springs and recesses I at the opposite sides of the lugs I which form the inner Walli of the grooved seats I. Each grooved seat I is shaped to snugly receive the corresponding spring H, which is advantageously made rectan lar in cross section as shown, and the portion of the spring received in its seat I is clamped between the bottom wall of thegrooved seat and the adjacent spacer or clamping plate K. Advantageously, as shown, the annular plates K are of greater internal diameter than the plates I, so that the plates K'bear against the side edges of but short portions of the springs H at each seat I. In consequence of this fact and of the recesses I provided at the opposite side of each seat, only the small portion of each spring H actually received Within the grooved seat I is restrained from yielding as the load imposed upon it may require. As shown, the outer wall of each seat I, and the outer edges of the adjacent recesses I orm part of a cylindrical surface slightly larger in diameter than that of the spring Each spring H is gripped at its inner side between the corresponding plate B and the adjacent plate G exactly as it is gripped at its outer side between the plates I and K. The plates B are formed with grooved seats B and recesses B corresponding to the seats I and recesses I in the member I. As shown each spring in the one set of springs is coaxial with a corresponding spring in the other side of the springs H, and the springs HA, which are arranged in coaxial pairs, are staggered with respect to the springs H. The size, number and relativearrangement of springs employed may vary quite Widely, it being only essential in general that the springs be numerous enough and sodisposed that the spring action will be substantially uniform in different angular positions of the wheel, and that in any angular position of the wheel the usual load will be so distributed among the springs taking it that no one spring will be overloaded. The plates F and 'J 'are formed with grooved seats and recesses for the springs HA similar to the grooved seats I and B and recesses Band B of the plates I and B, respectively,

With the wheel construction described the ire M employed need not be a yielding tire,

although if desired it maybe and, as shown, is a solid rubber tire. The tire M shown has an internal portion M which fits snugly about the plates I, J and K, and is clamped between-the plates L and" LA by-the bolts E The outer portions of the plates L and LA are shaped to receive the portion of the tire held between them; To remove the tire from the wheel it is only necessary to unscrew the nuts on the boltsE and on the extensions E of the bolts E This permits theplate LA to be removed f cm the wheel without otherwise disturbing the wheel structure, and after the removal of the plate" LA and the tire M maybe readily slipped off and another tire .put in its place if de-- sired Advantageously the L, LA, I, J and K are formed: of Monel metal, a well known natural alloy of high tensile strength, which will not corrode or, rust and will take a high and durable polish; The last mentioned feature is of special importance in the case of the plates L and LA and B, the overlapping contacting surfaces of which 'will become highly polished in operat n. I advantageously form a groove in the inner face of each of the plates L: and LA, each groove extending circularly about the axis of the wheel, and in each of these grooves I placea band 0 of felt or the plates B, F, G,

like, which serves as a holder for lubricating i material and is anchored in of soft metal rivets L With the wheel construction employed, the springs H and HA are entirely incloscd and are shielded against contact with mud, snow and sand, and to a considerable extent against wetting, by the inclosing housing. his housing assists in giving the wheel its necessary lateral strength and stiffness and on account of the smooth sides of thewheel formed by the side the wheel will have less fan action and, will lift smaller amounts of adhering mud or snow than the ordinaryspoke wheel. The decrease in fan action means-adesirable decrease in the air resistance to the rotation of the wheel and in the-amount of dust raised by the wheel. The type of construction employed makes it possible to construct the wheel almost entirely of metal, as disclosed herein,

place by means heavy or unduly expensive. A wheel formed mainly or entirely of metal possesses certain obvious advantages; for instance," the wheel walls of this housing,

without making the wheel either unduly importance where pneumatic or cushion tiresare employed. The use of a spring wheel of the type referred to makes it possible either to entirely dispense with spring connections between the wheels and the vehicle body, or to employ spring connections which are lighter, v rave a more limited'range of action, and are less expensivethan would otherwise be necessary.

In the modified construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the annular plate IA adapted to replace the plates I of Figs. 1 to 4, is formed with a grooved seat I for the spring lying wholly within the inner curved sur t ace of the annular plate IA proper, the grooved seat being formed in a lug I projecting inwardly from the inner curved wall proper of the plate IA.

The plate 113 shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, differs from the plate shown in Figs. 1 to a in that the bottom walls I of the recesses at the opposite side of each seat I are inclined to the plane of the plate, whereas the bottom walls of the recesses I are parallel to the plane of the plate. In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 the recesses at the opposite sides of each lug I are of the same depth immediately adjacent that lug as the grooved seat I and these recesses progressively increase in depth as the distance from the lug I increases. As shown best in Figs. 3 and 4:, the recesses I are of a uniform depth considerably greater than that of the grooved seat I.

The plate IC shown in Fig. 10 differs from the plate I in that the hole I for each'bolt E is placed nearer the inner margin of the annular plate and between the latter and the correspoinling grooved spring seat I. In this construction also, the lug 1 corresponding to the lug I of the construction first described has its outer surface cylindrical, the radius of curvature being appreciably less than that of the corresponding spring H. It will be understood, of course, that modifications of the plates B, F and J, analogous to the modifications of the plate I shown in Figs. to 9, inclusive, ma y be employed it and when desired.

\Vhcn the clamping bolts pass through the springs as in Fig. 10, the spring receiving grooves must be greater in extent than when the clamping bolts'lie wholly without the springs as in the other figures of the drawings. The formation ot'the spring receiving grooves wholly. in lugs projecting from the correspoluling. curved edge of the plates asshown in Figs. 5 and G permits of the use of plates relatively light in weight as compared with the other forms shown.

\Vhile in accordance with the provisions of the statutes. I have illustrated and described the best forms of my inventionnow known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the forms of apparatus disclosed without Having now described my invention, what,

I claim as new and desire to secure by.Letters Patent, is:

1. A spring Wheel comprising in combination, a felly element, a hub element and annular springs connecting said elements, oiie of said elements having alaminat'ed portion" comprising-:-an ,annular plate having grooves formed in one sidewitl -g'e ach groove open at its opposite ends and receiving a portion of a corresponding one of said springs, and a second plate between which and the bottom walls of the grooves in the otherv plate the springs received in said grooves are clamped.

2. A spring wheel comprising in combination, a hub, annular springs secured to said hub and projecting outwardly therefrom, and a telly to which said springs are each connected, said telly comprising a laminated portion formed of metal plates clamped together and having certain of said plates formed with grooves in their sides each groove having its ends open at the inner edge of the plate in which it is'tormed, said grooves receiving the outer portions of said springs, and each of said spring portions being clamped between the bottom wall of the groove receiving it and a plate adjacent that in which said groove is formed.

3. A spring wheel comprising in combination, a telly, annular springs secured to said telly and projecting inwardly therefrom, and a wheel center to which the inner portions of said springs are each connected,

.said center comprising a laminated portion formed of metal plates clamped together and having certain of said plates formed with grooves in their sides each groove having its ends open at the outer edge of the plate in which it is formed, said grooves receivingthe inner portions ot said springs, and each of said spring portions being clamped between the bottom wall of the groove receiving it and a plate adjacent that inwhich said groove is formed.

4. A spring wheel comprising in combination, a telly element. a hub element and annular springs connecting said elements, one of said elements having a laminated portion comprising an annular plate having,

grooves formed in 'one side each groove being open at both ends at the curved margin of the plate adjacentthe other element and receiving a portion ot a corresponding'one of said springs, each groove being formed with a central shallow portion snugly receiving the portion of the spring entering it and enlarged portions at each side of said central portion in which the corresponding spring portions are free to move, and a sec:

nd plate between which and the bottom walls of the said shallow portions of its grooves in the other plate the springs received in said. grooves are clamped.

5. A spring wheel comprising in combination, a folly element, a hub element and ing portions of said springs are clamped,

annular springs connecting said elements, one of said elements having a laminated portion comprising an annular metal plate having open ended grooves formed in' pne side each groove being open at both ends at the margin of the plate adjacent the other of said elements and receiving a portion of a corresponding spring and a second annular metal plate between which and the bottom walls of the grooves in said second plate the springs received in said grooves are clamped.

6. A spring Wheel comprising in combination, a telly element, a hub element, and springs connecting said elements, each of said elements comprising a laminated portion composed of annular metal plates be tween adjacent pairs of which correspondone of each of said adjacent pairs of plates being laterally grooved to provide open ended spring receiving channels.

7. In a spring wheel a laminated Wheel felly formed of annular metal spring hold-- ing plates bolted together, some of said plates being formed with spring receiving channels, each of said channels beingopen along its length at the side of the plate in which the channel is formed and being open at its ends at the inner margin of the plate! 8. A laminated wheel telly formed of annular metal plates bolted together, and hav' ing certain. of said plates laterally grooved to provide channels opening at their ends at the inner margin of the telly and adapted to receive springs, which may be clamped between the bottom walls of said channels and the plates adjacent those in which said. channels are formed.

9. A spring Wheel center comprising a huband a plurality of annular metal-spring holding plates coaxial with said hub, said plates being clamped together and secured to said hub, some of said plates being formed with spring receiving channels, each of said channels being open along its length at the side of the plate in which the channel is formed and being open at its ends at the metal spring holding plates surrounding said body and clamped against said flange and an annular non-metallic member surrounding said body and interposed between the latter and some of said plates, some of? said plates being formed with spring reeeiv ing channels, each of said channels being open along its length at the side of the plate in which the channel is formed and being open at its ends at the outer margin of the plate.

12. A spring wheel comprising in combination, a felly element, a hub element, and springs connecting said elements, each of said elements comprising a laminatedportion composed of annular plates recessed to receive corresponding portions of said springs, the outer plates of each of said elements being extended to overlap the correspondingly extended plates from. the other element, the said overlapping plates forming the side walls of a housing inclosing said springs.

13. Aspring wheel comprising in combination, telly element, a hub element comprising a pair of spaced apart outwardly extending plates, and annular springs located between said plates and connecting said elements, said felly element comprising a set of annular plates of slnallradial depth and a pair of plates at the sides of said set of plates and extending outwardly therefrom to engage the sides of a tire mounted on said wheel and extending inwardly to engage and lap the outwardly extending plates from the hub element, means for clamping said set of plates to one of the said side plates and other means for clamping the other of said side plates to said set of plates.

Ll. A spring wheel comprising in combination, a hub element formed with two spaced apart plates, a laminated telly ele ment comprising two outer spaced apart metal plates inwardly extended to overlap the said plates of the hub element and form a closed wheel chamber, and annular metal plates clamped between said extended plates,

' and springslocated in the space between said overlapping plates and each separately connected to said hub and telly elements by i being clamped between the plates thereof. :LEWIS r. Boole Witnesses THOMAS HQBUGKLEY, ALFRED \Vnnnrnnnx. 

